I play a game on my phone called Zen Word.. when the game begins the app gives you a phrase just to think about. Yesterday, the message was 'make yourself present'.
It certainly gave me pause. Being 'present' is something we hear often lately. We should all try to be in the moment. So many times- really too many times - we are doing one thing and are thinking of 5 other things at the same time. I can assure you that none of those 6 things have our undivided attention as it should have.
When we are eating we often hear about mindfulness when we eat. Be present. Really think about what, how, and why we are eating. Savor the food we like right in front of us. When we are trying to be present in a moment, we hope to give that situation or that person our whole attention - really listening and being engaged with the person we're with - or that amazing meal on the plate right in front of us.
Having any chronic disease I know we all want to appreciate our days. On our 'good ' days we hope to fill those days with what makes us happy - what gives us sheer enjoyment just being in the moment ----being present. Be in the moment that you have looked forward to. Maybe it's a lunch date with a friend, maybe it's a good book you've wanted to read, maybe it's just taking that walk all by yourself, maybe it's just sitting being quiet in that comfy spot.
I hope we all take the time to be 'present'. Give that person or that situation all of our attention. Be engaged in good conversation without thinking of what we will say next... or worse, what are a hundred things we could be doing instead. When we do that I can assure you we lose out on the moments with someone who wants to be with us.... how great is that?! Someone cares about you enough to want to be with you. Soak up those moments!
Think about being 'present'..... are you 'present'?
